Kenya hires Donald Trump associate for $175,000-a-month U.S. lobbying deal

As several African countries deepen partnerships with China and Russia, while others remain hesitant to take sides, Kenya is moving decisively to consolidate its influence in Washington.

• Kenya has entered a strategic lobbying agreement with the U.S.-based firm Continental Strategy LLC to strengthen its relations with Washington for a retainer of $175,000 per month.
• The deal aims to aid Kenya in advocating for support in areas such as trade, security, and diplomacy by collaborating with U.S. policymakers and government bodies.
• Amid scrutiny in Washington regarding Kenya's foreign and domestic policies, some U.S. lawmakers question the nation's alignment and international engagements.
• The expenditure of the lobbying initiative has spurred debates within Kenya, highlighting concerns over governance, financial accountability, and public priorities.

The Eastern-African nation has signed a high-profile lobbying deal with the U.S.-based Continental Strategy LLC, a firm led by former Trump administration official Carlos Trujillo.

According to filings with the U.S. Justice Department’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the agreement was concluded on August 6 and registered on August 8, 2025.

The contract lists the Republic of Kenya as the foreign principal and commits Nairobi to a monthly retainer of $175,000 (Sh23–27 million), with additional costs for travel and other expenses.

Terms of the contract between Kenya and the U.S.

Daily Nations reports that the engagement letter specifies that Continental Strategy will provide lobbying and government relations consulting “at the federal level,” including direct outreach to U.S. policymakers, dissemination of informational material, and advocacy on issues related to trade, security, and diplomacy.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei signed for Kenya, while Trujillo and senior partners Alberto Martinez, Alejandro Garcia, and John Barsa signed on behalf of the firm.

On its website, Continental Strategy highlights its “extensive knowledge of the White House, Capitol Hill, and federal agencies,” including the Departments of State, Treasury, Homeland Security, and Transportation.

Mounting U.S. concerns

The deal comes amid growing scrutiny of Kenya’s foreign and domestic policies in Washington.

U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently introduced an amendment to the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act seeking a review of Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).

The amendment calls for a reassessment of Nairobi’s cooperation on counter-terrorism, its leadership of the Haiti peacekeeping mission, and its expanding ties with China, Russia, and Iran.

It also raises concerns about alleged links to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Somalia’s Al-Shabaab.

Critics in Washington Congress have argued that Kenya’s financial system could be exploited by sanctioned entities and that U.S. security aid might be connected to human rights abuses during recent anti-government protests.

Although a senior U.S. embassy official in Nairobi has downplayed the amendment, noting it originates from “the legislative arm, not the Executive,” and may not pass.

Backlash in Kenya and government defence

The hefty price tag of the deal has triggered widespread outrage among Kenyans, who deem the expenditure excessive amidst the current economic strain.

Governance analyst Dr. Kenneth Ombongi expressed concerns that utilizing taxpayer funds without parliamentary approval may undermine accountability, emphasizing the need for a thorough audit.

Meanwhile, Trujillo, a former US ambassador to the Organisation of American States, has warned that outcomes are uncertain and lobbying statements should be treated with caution, distinguishing between opinion and promise.

Despite criticism, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended the lobbying contract as a strategic investment aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, promoting tourism and trade, and advancing Kenya’s foreign policy.

In a statement on Thursday, August 28, Mudavadi said the government rejected media reports suggesting the deal was improper, calling the allegations “inaccurate and misleading.”

He said, “This is a legitimate practice by governments worldwide. They are undertaken to advance foreign policy, trade, investment, and security interests in Washington, D.C., where competition for visibility is intense and highly structured.”

Mudavadi also highlighted that successive Kenyan governments, from Jomo Kenyatta to Uhuru Kenyatta, have similarly retained foreign lobbyists.

The current focus, he noted, includes advancing post-AGOA trade negotiations and securing support for Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti peacekeeping mission.

Looking ahead

President William Ruto is scheduled to visit the United States in September for the 80th United Nations General Assembly, his first under Trump’s new administration.

The trip will provide an early test of whether Kenya’s costly lobbying effort in Washington achieves tangible results, even as much of Africa continues to tilt eastward.

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